“I hope to hell I don’t lose my phone.”
“In the decade you’ve worked for the FBI, you’ve never once lost it.”
Whoa. “Is there anything you don’t know about me?”
Felipe shot her a sly grin, then went back to work.
“Eyes watching the eyes watching everyone else. My head is spinning right now.”
“You should feel proud for what you’ve achieved,” Felipe said. “It’s an honor to work for ALPHA. Luther only hires the best of the best. And the man you’re going to work with is one of a kind. More legend than man. He and Luther go way back.”
Rather than ask more questions, she decided to wait until she met the legend himself.
* * *
Dakota entered Luther’s office, dropped his computer bag on the guest chair, and sank into the other. “I got here as soon as I could. What’s going on?”
“Can Stryker help you with the blackmail note?”
“He’s gonna try.” Raising his brows, Dakota threw his hands out, palms up. “Why am I here, Luther?”
“I brought someone in to work with you.”
“On what?”
“Finding the person who killed Hastings. The police are going to arrest you. Won’t be today or tomorrow, but I can’t stall them indefinitely.”
“I don’t need a damn partner.”
“The FBI suspects you’re the vigilante who’s been exterminating serial killers.”
Dakota’s stomach dropped. “Come again?”
“They’ve been tracking you for months, but I just found out. If you and your assassin team are arrested, I can’t help you. I won’t expose my organization.”
“My assassin teamispart of your organization.”
“Not on paper, you’re not. Three years ago, you went off the rails. You turned into a killing machine and I was protecting you from yourself.”
“Don’t throw that shit in my face now, Luther.”
“Fortunately, neither of the undercover agents targeting you made any progress, so the Director closed your case for lack of evidence.”
Leaning forward, Dakota asked, “Two agents?”
“The first one is a licensed realtor who worked at Goode-Luck. Like you, that’s her cover. Fortunately, she found nothing and left.”
“Who was it?”
“Annie Baker.”
“I remember her. She worked for me for me most of last year.” He crossed his legs. “And the other?”
“An agent from the Violent Crimes Division. She’s been with Justice for about a decade. Stellar reputation. Hard worker, strong willed. She’ll be your new partner.”
“You expect me to partner with the person who’s been tracking me?” Dakota chuckled. “You’re joking, right?”
“No, I’m not. She’s our best shot at finding the person who killed Hastings. Show her the blackmail letter and the photos.”
